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Herzog Max: New life in the listed Karstadt am Stachus!
The redesigned “Herzog Max” project is opening at Karlstor after five years of renovation, repurposing the former Karstadt Sport.
Herzog Max: New life in the listed Karstadt am Stachus!
In Munich, where the air is full of excitement and fresh wind, there is new news from the city center. The former Karstadt Sport am Karlstor has been given a new lease of life after years of being vacant. The “Herzog Max” project opened on July 8, 2025, reinterpreting a listed building that has been part of the cityscape since 1865. Investors from the Wilhelm von Finck Group, who own the building, and the project developer Accumulata took a full five years to complete the renovation. The South German reports that the official opening was celebrated with important political representatives, including Bavaria's Construction Minister Christian Bernreiter, City Planning Commissioner Elisabeth Merk and Munich's Economics Officer Christian Scharpf.
In the past, the location at Stachus had faded into obscurity. After “Karstadt Sports” went bankrupt in 2020, the building was empty for a long time. The new course towards mixed-use property, away from department stores, is an important step. Since April 2023, the building has been the 'flagship store' of the sports brand New Balance. “It hardly reminds us of a sports department store,” says Günter Koller from the Wilhelm von Finck Group. In addition to New Balance, Herzog Max is home to a law firm and the Institute for Innovation and Competition of the Max Planck Society, which is the largest tenant with almost 10,000 square meters. After all, 95 percent of the approximately 14,000 square meters of total space has already been rented, which shows that the concept is on fertile ground.
A new face for the city center
A central aspect of the redesign was the redesign of stairwells and the creation of green atriums and accessible roof terraces. These modern elements are intended to help create a contemporary ambience that appeals to both customers and tenants. The aim of the renovation is to make the city center more attractive and to set an example against the trend of empty department stores. T Online highlights that many city centers - including Munich - are facing major challenges, and a whopping 14,000 square meters have been developed for sustainable use.
In addition, Herzog-Max-Straße was upgraded. Here new trees, fresh paving and open-air drinking areas for future restaurants meet the historical flair of the district. These investments are not only aimed at a new coexistence of living and working, but also at an attractive cityscape that should offer Munich residents and their visitors a place to feel good. Instead of the faceless department store doors, there are now modern entrances that arouse curiosity and invite you to linger.
With the opening of Herzog Max, the city of Munich is taking another step into the future. Innovative ideas on the subject of sustainable use should serve as a model for other inner cities. The signs point to change and progress – for Munich and its citizens.